Early Middle Ages and Viking swords
Viking swords are among the most fascinating weapons of the early Middle Ages — masterpieces of craftsmanship, status symbols of wealthy warriors, and today sought-after replicas for re-enactment, exhibition fighting and collectors. Here you will find exhibition swords, decorative pieces and historical replicas spanning the early Middle Ages, the Viking Age and the Norman period — from the simple spatha to the meticulously detailed Ulfberht replica.
The Viking sword: weapon, status symbol and heirloom
In the early Middle Ages, a sword was not an item that everyone could afford. The elaborate production from high-quality steel, the time-consuming forging work and the costly decorations made these blades luxury goods accessible only to wealthy warriors. Anyone who carried a sword immediately demonstrated their social rank.
This status was reflected in the design: pommels and crossguards were adorned with silver, bronze and precious metal inlays — the more elaborate the workmanship, the higher the bearer’s rank. A simple freeman might carry at most a knife or a Viking sax, whilst a jarl carried a magnificently crafted sword.
Swords were rarely discarded or treated as ordinary tools. Many were passed down from generation to generation as heirlooms, given names and their own stories. Others were found as grave goods alongside their owners — a testament to the significance attributed to these blades even beyond life. Alongside Viking axes, lances and spears, the sword was the weapon of the privileged on the battlefield.
Types and Variants: From the Spatha to the Norman Sword
Spatha & Vendel period
The spatha is the direct predecessor of the classic Viking swords — a double-edged blade form with Germanic roots that evolved throughout the Vendel period. Vendel period swords with brass hilts, reconstructed from boat grave finds, are among the oldest types in the range.
Classic Viking sword
The heyday of the Scandinavian warriors. Typologically defined by the Petersen classification and Ewart Oakeshott’s typology (types X to XII) — broad, straight blades, lobed pommels, characteristic fuller. Historical finds from Hedmark, Haithabu, Copenhagen and the island of Eigg serve as models for the replicas in the range. The legendary Ulfberht sword occupies a special place here.
Viking sword
The Norman sword is the logical evolution of the Viking blade — slimmer, with a modified pommel shape, forming a link to the High Middle Ages. Carolingian types mark the transition between Frankish and Nordic sword-making traditions. Also in the range: the Langsax or Scramasax, a single-edged variant without a guard, with blade lengths of up to approx. 80 cm.
Forging techniques and materials: pattern welding to spring steel
| Material | Suitability | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Spring steel (5160, 1065, 1075) | Stage combat | SK-A and SK-B exhibition swords — flexible, springy, durable |
| Damascus steel (pattern welding) | Historical | Aesthetically sophisticated replicas; multiple layers of welded steel visible |
| Crucible steel (Ulfberht type) | Historical | Higher carbon content, harder blade — exceptional historical weapon of the Early Middle Ages |
| Cast metal / stainless steel | Decorative | Decorative items for display cabinets, walls or costumes — not intended for use |
| Wood, leather, bronze, brass, bone | Historical | Handle materials — combined according to rank and design |
Historically, pattern welding — the fusing of several layers of iron and steel into a single blade — was one of the most labour-intensive forging techniques of the early Middle Ages. The characteristic pattern of the welded layers, also known in German as ‘Wurmbunt’, is still visible today on high-quality damascene replicas. The Ulfberht swords were a genuine exception: through the use of crucible steel with a significantly higher carbon content, they far surpassed their contemporaries in hardness and sharpness — the origin of this steel remains unclear to this day.
Exhibition fight or decoration? The right choice for your purpose
Decorative pieces are suitable for the wall, a display cabinet or a costume. The blades are often made of cast metal or unhardened steel — not intended for mechanical stress, but with a highly detailed appearance. SK-C swords offer a solid entry-level option for light practice use.
The best-selling range in our collection. SK-B swords made from spring steel are designed for medieval markets, re-enactment and regular display combat — offering a good balance between price, craftsmanship and durability. Many models come with a scabbard.
For demanding exhibition combat and intensive training. Tinker quality (e.g. Hanwei) stands for higher-grade steel alloys, careful heat treatment and precise balance. These swords are designed for heavy-duty use and are the first choice for serious re-enactors.
Historical accuracy also plays a role in the purchasing decision: a Jarl character requires a different sword to a simple warrior or a Frankish horseman. The range extends from approx. €21 to over €500 and covers Deco, SK-C, SK-B and SK-A. In addition, the range includes accessories for swords such as care oils and sword holders, as well as shields and bucklers for a complete combat set.
Sword scabbards, care and storage
Historical sword scabbards consisted of a wooden core covered in leather and reinforced with metal fittings at the mouth and the end. Many replicas in the range are supplied directly with a matching scabbard — handy for market visits and accurate re-enactment.
For long-term storage, however, it is advisable to keep the sword out of the scabbard. Leather absorbs moisture from the ambient air and transfers it directly to the blade steel — this promotes corrosion, even on well-maintained blades.
Caring for the blade is straightforward: wipe it down with a soft cloth after each use, clean with denatured alcohol if necessary, and then rub in a thin layer of weapon oil. Store the sword in a dry place with a stable temperature, protected from direct moisture and extreme temperatures. This will keep the blade in good condition for the long term.
Characteristics of a genuine Viking sword: blade, pommel and balance
Anyone who picks up a Viking sword will quickly realise: it is not a crude weapon for beating people with. Historical swords usually weighed between 1 and 1.5 kg — well-balanced and designed for precise strikes, not mere brute force.
The blade was typically 70 to 90 cm long, broad and straight with a double-edged cutting edge. The central fuller — often mistakenly referred to as a blood groove — served primarily to reduce weight without compromising stability. It can be found on almost all historical Viking blades.
The pommel, in a three- or five-lobed form, was more than just decoration: it acted as a counterweight to the blade, thereby significantly improving the sword’s manoeuvrability. It also structurally enclosed the crossguard and the hilt. The crossguard protected the sword hand and was designed to be wider in the Early Middle Ages than in its ancient predecessors — a sign of the evolution of combat techniques. Together, the blade, hilt and pommel form a carefully balanced weapon that was technically remarkable for its historical context.
To complement the sword, you’ll also find early medieval and Viking helmets, further Viking weapon accessories, as well as gambesons and armour tunics in the shop for a complete reenactment outfit.
Whether you’re looking for an authentic display sword for your next re-enactment or a detailed replica of an Ulfberht sword for your display cabinet — browse through the range and find the sword that suits your re-enactment and intended use. Take a look at the main sword category too if you’d like to compare blades from other eras.
Frequently asked questions
There is no single historical name for the Viking sword — the Northmen gave their swords individual names such as ‘Gram’ or ‘Tyrfing’. Today, they are classified typologically according to the Petersen classification or the Oakeshott type system (e.g. Type X, XI, XII). Important variants include the spatha, the classic Viking sword with a lobed pommel; the Norman sword, a further development; and the langsax, a single-edged variant.
Historical Viking swords generally weighed between 1 and 1.5 kg — a common misconception is that these weapons were particularly heavy and unwieldy. In fact, they were well-balanced for their time and designed for precise strikes. Modern re-enactment replicas are often slightly heavier, weighing between 1 and 2 kg depending on the quality of the steel and the design.
In Norse mythology, Gungnir is actually Odin’s spear, not a sword. The most famous mythological sword of the Norse is Gram, the sword of the hero Sigurd from the Völsunga Saga, with which he slew the dragon Fafnir. Gram is considered the most powerful sword in Norse mythology — a symbol of bravery and heroism.
The exhibition combat classes indicate suitability for combat use. SK-A (often ‘tinker’ quality) stands for demanding exhibition combat and intensive training, featuring high-quality steel alloy and precise heat treatment. SK-B is suitable for medieval markets and regular re-enactment — solid workmanship at a fair price. SK-C is suitable for light practice use and beginners. Decorative pieces are not designed to withstand any combat stress.
The Ulfberht swords of the early Middle Ages (c. 9th–11th centuries) stood out due to the use of crucible steel with a significantly higher carbon content — a quality that was not achieved again in Europe until centuries later. As a result, these blades were harder, more flexible and sharper than most of their contemporaries. The origin of the steel remains unclear to this day; trade links as far afield as the Middle East are being discussed. In our range, you will find several replicas based on this historical model.